The first generation of Muslims were moved by a
sense of discovery. But present generation Muslims
base their efforts on a feeling of loss. This is the
basic reason for all the intellectual and ethical
differences between latter-day Muslims and the
original Islamic community.
For those who became Muslims at the opening of
the Islamic era, Islam was the greatest of blessings.
But present-day Muslims have no such feeling for
their faith. All they have is a feeling that other
nations have taken away from them the political
supremacy that Islamic history had granted them. It
is for this reason that Muslims the world over are
today suffering from a persecution complex. They
look at other nations as oppressors and themselves
as the oppressed. They hold different nations
responsible for their problems in various parts of
the world.
America, Israel, and Russia are variously the target
of their anger and resentment. The Jews, Hindus,
and Christians, are held responsible at different
moments for their plight. Because of this attitude,
all they have been able to achieve through their
efforts has been futile protest.
This has also had an adverse effect on Muslim
journalism. There is one thing common to the
Muslim press the world over, and that is protest.
All Muslim periodicals and newspapers today have
adopted this tone. Their sole purpose is to put
forward the Muslims’ political case. But the true
purpose of Muslim journalism should be to
represent Islam; it should be run on the basis of
principle, not on the basis of national prejudice.
If one represents a nation’s case, one will spotlight
its national issues. But to represent Islam, on the
other hand, is to present God’s religion before
mankind. The Qur’an tells us how God sent
countless prophets in ancient times, and revealed to
them the scriptures. Man, however, was unable to
preserve these scriptures in their original form.
Then the final Prophet came to the world. The Book
that was revealed to him would be preserved for all
time. It is now our responsibility as Muslims to
communicate this authentic book of divine
guidance to all nations and all peoples of the world.
True Muslim journalism is that which represents
the message of Islam in this way.
Ref - The Moral Vision
- by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
